Date:10/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/12/10/stories/2005121002830200.htm

Back Global ayurveda meet begins

V. Sajeev Kumar

The State Assembly Speaker, Mr Therambil Ramakrishnan (left), and the State Governor, Mr R.L. Bhatia, at the inaugural ceremony of Global Summit on Ayurveda and Expo '05 in Thrissur on Friday. - K.K. Mustafah

Thrissur , Dec. 9

THE four-day Global Summit on Ayruveda organised by Thrissur-based Vaidyaratnam got off to a colourful start here today with a call to carry out more research studies on this traditional system of medicine.

In his inaugural address, the State Governor, Mr R.L. Bhatia, said that globalisation was conducive to the promotion of this 5,000-year-old traditional system of medicine.

He called for effective use of R&D for the improvement of the system for its propagation abroad. He also suggested developing some medicines to provide a quick relief to patients.

The State Health Minister, Mr K.K. Ramachandran Master, said that cultivation of medicinal plants to manufacture ayurvedic medicines should be promoted in a big way due to the depletion of forestland in the country.

The forest cover is gradually decreasing in the State as well, and there is dearth of quality medicinal plants to produce good medicines.

He pointed out that there is an increasing awareness on ayurveda in recent times as the world now prefers natural medicines to cure the body and mind.

Capt Krishnan Nair, Chairman of the Leela Group, said that Kerala, which is on the threshold of development, could play a major role in promoting ayurveda along with IT and tourism.

This is the first time in the country that an elaborate ayurveda seminar is being conducted and more than 1,000 delegates from different parts of the country and abroad are attending.

The seminar will have sessions on life style diseases, biotechnology and rasayana therapy.

More than 100 well-known personalities from India and abroad are presenting papers on various aspects of ayurveda.